Four more recent San Benito High School graduates have been
arrested in connection with the vandalism at the school last
Thursday, bring the total number of arrests in the case to eight.
Larry Sanchez, 18, and three juveniles are being charged with arson
and vandalism, Hollister Police Department Captain Bob Brooks
said.
Hollister – Four more recent San Benito High School graduates have been arrested in connection with the vandalism at the school last Thursday, bring the total number of arrests in the case to eight. Larry Sanchez, 18, and three juveniles are being charged with arson and vandalism, Hollister Police Department Captain Bob Brooks said.
“The officers did a good job and closed the case pretty quick,” Brooks said. “We’re proud of them.”
The vandalism, which took place early Thursday morning on the eve of the school’s graduation ceremony, included graffiti, damage to the campus pool, destruction of trees and arson.
“We hope students get the message that what these people did wasn’t even close to a prank,” Brooks said.
Brooks said police are still investigating leads and have one more suspect.
San Benito High School Principal Debbie Padilla said that the school had conducted its own investigation and turned the names of five students over to the Hollister Police Department.
Last week, the Sheriff’s Department arrested four other SBHS students for tying up a pig from the Future Farmers of America barn the day before graduation. All four students involved with the pig prank face felony charges of grand theft, conspiracy and cruelty to animals.
The vandalism for which the most recent arrests were made were unrelated to the pig prank, Brooks said.
Nine students were barred from participating in the school’s graduation ceremony as a result of the incident.
Brett Rowland covers education for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or br******@fr***********.com
